Fergie's Pep hint for Man United job?

United boss also springs to defence of Glazer family

Manchester United's manager Alex Ferguson applauds his players after their English Premier League match against Swansea City at Old Traffordin this file photo. (REUTERS)

Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted that Manchester United will still continue to enjoy great success even after he decides to end his reign as manager, according to the Daily Mail.

Asked if he thought there would be life after him at United, he said: "Of course. Manchester United are an institution and the history here forces everything."

Ferguson hinted that any successor would have to have had a wealth of experience managing at the top level.

One who can continue the Scot’s “winning mentality”, but still play the free-flowing football associated with United is Pep Guardiola.

Perhaps for the first time, a candidate is available.

In all the myriad roles that the media have speculated Guardiola being associated with after Barcelona, Manchester United has never been among them.

Yet, if United are looking for a winner with the DNA of Sir Alex, strangely, Guardiola would be the one..

"I don’t think the club will choose a young manager because it is a job that demands experience. The future is absolutely solid. If you look at the team I could play all under 22 or 23, De Gea, Rafael, Smalling, Jones, Evans. Cleverley, Powell, Chicharito, Lingard, Welbeck, Kagawa. These players will become the United team for the next three or four years," he said stopping short of anointing a successor.

But he scoffed at the idea that following him would be a daunting prospect.

"It would not be a daunting prospect to follow me," he said.

Would he like to follow himself into this job? "Yes, definitely. Why not? It cannot be an impossible job with the structure we have at this club."

Ferguson has launched a passionate defence of the Glazer family, insisting: "They have always backed me whenever I have asked them for anything."

In a far-reaching interview at the first phase of the team’s strenuous pre-season programme, the Manchester United manager rubbished suggestions that the mountainous debt incurred by the American owners of the club was hampering his buying plans.

"I’m absolutely comfortable with the Glazers situation. They’ve been great," he said. "So if you’re asking me for my views, I don’t have any complaints."